Apparatus and method for attaching interconnector of solar cell panel

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for attaching an interconnector of a solar cell panel. The method includes forming a first interconnector-jig coupling by fixing a plurality of first interconnectors to a jig, locating the first interconnector-jig coupling over a working table, fixing the first interconnectors and a first solar cell to each other, separating the jig from the first interconnectors, and attaching the first interconnectors to the first solar cell by applying heat to the first interconnectors and the first solar cell, which are thereby fixed to each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for attaching an interconnector of a solar cell panel, the apparatus comprising:
 a working table; 
 a jig fixing a plurality of interconnectors at a first position spaced apart from the working table, wherein the jig includes a first fixing part to fix one side of the plurality of interconnectors and a second fixing part to fix an opposite side of the plurality of interconnectors; 
 a cutter cutting the plurality of interconnectors fixed to the jig to form an interconnector-jig coupling at a second position spaced apart from the working table, wherein the interconnector-jig coupling is transported from the first position to the working table; and 
 a heat source to attach the plurality of interconnectors and the solar cell to each other by applying heat to the plurality of interconnectors and the solar cell, which are thereby fixed to each other, 
 wherein the jig is separated from the plurality of interconnectors prior to passing through the heat source, 
 wherein each of the first fixing part and the second fixing part includes a first part comprising a first clamp and a movable second part comprising a second clamp. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an exhaust device to perform an exhaust operation so as to fix the plurality of interconnectors and the solar cell to each other via exhaust adsorption. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the working table includes a conveyor belt having an exhaust hole. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprises a third fixing part located between the jig and the working table, and wherein, when the interconnector-jig coupling is placed on the working table, in a state in which the third fixing part is fastened to one side of the plurality of interconnectors, which is close to the first fixing part, at a position between the first fixing part and the second fixing part, the jig is separated from the plurality of interconnectors by releasing the first fixing part, locating the solar cell over the plurality of interconnectors so as to fix the solar cell to the plurality of interconnectors via exhaust adsorption, and releasing the second fixing part. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an upper fixing member to fix a plurality of other interconnectors, located over the solar cell, to the solar cell. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the upper fixing member includes a plurality of fixing pieces configured as elastic members to apply pressure to the plurality of other interconnectors so as to fix the plurality of other interconnectors. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first fixing part is provided on one side of the plurality of interconnectors so as to extend in a direction crossing a direction in which the plurality of interconnectors extend to fix the plurality of interconnectors, and the second fixing part is provided on an opposite side of the plurality of interconnectors so as to extend in the direction crossing the direction in which the plurality of interconnectors extend to fix the plurality of interconnectors. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus for attaching an interconnector of a solar cell panel, the apparatus comprising:
 a working table; 
 a jig fixing a plurality of interconnectors at a first position spaced apart from the working table, wherein the jig includes a first fixing part and a second fixing part; 
 a cutter cutting the plurality of interconnectors fixed to the jig to form an interconnector-jig coupling at a second position spaced apart from the working table wherein the interconnector-jig coupling is transported from the first position to the working table; and 
 an attachment unit to attach the plurality of interconnectors to a solar cell; 
 wherein the jig comprises a plurality of clamping units to clamp and fix the plurality of interconnectors, 
 wherein each clamping unit includes a first clamp located on a first part of the first fixing part and a second clamp located on a second part of the first fixing part; the first clamp having a first portion and the second clamp having a second portion, and 
 wherein the first portion includes a contact coming into contact with the one side of the plurality of interconnectors, and a recess formed so as to be spaced further apart from the one side of the plurality of interconnectors than the second portion. 
 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the contact is configured as a flat plane. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the recess has a curved inner surface. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the curved inner surface of the recess has an arc-shaped cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein a ratio of an area of the contact relative to a total area of the first portion ranges from 10% to 70%. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the contact comprises a plurality of contacts in a longitudinal direction of the plurality of interconnectors, or the contact comprises a plurality of contacts including two contacts located on opposite sides of the recess in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of interconnectors. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the recess is formed in a direction crossing a direction in which the plurality of interconnectors extends, or crossing a processing direction. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the recess is elongated in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the plurality of interconnectors extends, or perpendicular to a processing direction. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the contact has a smaller area than the recess in the first portion. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the second portion is configured as a flat plane coming into contact with the remaining side of the plurality of interconnectors. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising an interconnector fixing member spaced apart from the cutter for fixing the one side of the plurality of interconnectors; and a third fixing part to fix the plurality of interconnectors on one side of the attachment unit. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus according to  claim 18 ,
 wherein the first clamp further includes a first connection portion to connect the first portion and the first part to each other, 
 wherein the second clamp further includes a second connection portion to connect the second portion and the second part to each other, and 
 wherein the first portion protrudes further toward the second portion than the first connection portion. 
 
     
     
       20. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the cutter includes at least one recess to receive the plurality of interconnectors therein.